Floor Material for Small Coop and Run

[waynem1983]

I've heard more bad things about sand, and DE, so idk if I'm ready to try them yet. In the roost and the nesting boxes I use cleaned pine shavings. The two that are about 2mo are an Americana mix, and possibly a BR mix. They may also both be roos; I'll have to wait another month or so to know for sure. If they are, I'll exchange them. I got in on an order at one of the feed stores, and ordered two chicks that'll arrive Thursday. I've read that chickens need roughly 2 sq ft each to be comfortable; right now I have a total of about 23.75 sq ft. This is mostly just a place for them to sleep in at night, and get out if the weather; unlike today, where I've put them in the portable coop, and put it on my front porch. Thank you for the compliments and suggestions. This is the portable coop
I built; 3'x3'x6', 1" PVC, 2 old gates as the roof

a tually most here would reccomend 4sq ft per bird, but ithink 2sq ft is fine if your birds free range, however that is 2-4sq ft of "coop" space, ie, inside the box. Your little coop is very small for any more than 3 birds, especially so if you are not letting them free range outside of the run. Reccomended space for birds locked in a run is 10sqft per bird, again perhaps a little generous, but you already have less than that with 3 hens.

 

[MrsCheekinLady]

I have been using sand for  years.  I'm not new.  This is the best flooring for an outdoor chicken run.  And my chickens look fantastic.

In summary, sand is a bad choice for your chickens' environment for many reasons, which include:


•harbors E.coli
•allows coccidiosis to run rampant or in some cases eradicates it completely (both extremes are harmful)
•dust can lead to respiratory/breathing problems
•can lead to impacted crops
•real possibility of 'breaded' feces being eaten by your flock
•hot in the summer
•no insulating factors in the winter
•not 'green', i.e. not compostable

In our opinion, as well as that of experts we trust, the scoop on sand is ... steer clear. Far better choices for your chicken keeping are: Brooder - pine shavings, Run - dirt, Coop - pine shavings or straw

 

[MrsCheekinLady]

Here is a good article to read about sand

http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html?m=1

 

[iwiw60]

I've heard more bad things about sand, and DE, so idk if I'm ready to try them yet. In the roost and the nesting boxes I use cleaned pine shavings. The two that are about 2mo are an Americana mix, and possibly a BR mix. They may also both be roos; I'll have to wait another month or so to know for sure. If they are, I'll exchange them. I got in on an order at one of the feed stores, and ordered two chicks that'll arrive Thursday. I've read that chickens need roughly 2 sq ft each to be comfortable; right now I have a total of about 23.75 sq ft. This is mostly just a place for them to sleep in at night, and get out if the weather; unlike today, where I've put them in the portable coop, and put it on my front porch. Thank you for the compliments and suggestions. This is the portable coop
I built; 3'x3'x6', 1" PVC, 2 old gates as the roof

@TwoCrows posted this, in part, on another thread today...this is a gal with many years experience with chickens:
Quote: I just thought I'd post this to you as I feel your interpretation as to square footage per bird is waaay too small...just FYI!!

 

[dsbailey70]

The wooden coop is for them to sleep in, and get out of the weather. The portable PVC coop is for them to have access to my yard, until they're too big to be able to slip through my chain link fence. Then they'll be able to really free range. Ideally, I would've rather had a larger permanent coop, but this is what I can do at the moment. I do intend to build a larger one later on. I'm considering pouring a concrete slab, then using 4-5" or so of pine shavings. I know chickens may like mud, but today I've got standing water...

 

[iwiw60]

Boy, I'm glad in some respects that I live where I live! We don't have "dirt" ... we have what everyone around here refers to as "kitty litter" .... the amount of dirt in it is miniscule and drainage is good when we ever do get rain. With us out here in Central Oregon it's either 95+ or it's snowing, hardly ever anything in between, I'm so jealous of the people who live over the Cascade Mountain Range from me...they have DIRT! They can grow bountiful gardens in a snap....aaack!

So I am in agreement with @chicmom when she recommends sand....

 

[dsbailey70]

I say dirt, but in SE Texas, it's only a thin layer of topsoil, and then grey or red clay. I've been using bagged topsoil (no chemicals) so far. When anyone says sand, do they mean sandbox or contractor (Quickrete) sand? That's probably cleaner than 60/40 (sand with light clay, bought by the dump truck load).

 

[SlowQueen]

Hi folks!
I'm in south Florida so good or bad, most of our 'dirt' down here is made up of sand and there is really no way of getting around it. I guess we will have to do our best to keep the area as clean as possible...As far as the pine shavings go, that's what I'm using in my coop now and I'd like to know if you all compost it? I've heard it's really hard for the pine to break down but I'd love to throw it in my composter if I could? What do you do with the used shavings and what do you recommend?

 

[chicmom]

Slowqueen and DSBailey, my husband picks up the sand from the quarry. He just buys a scoop for like $15.00. It's always worked great for me. What I like about it is that it drains well. I never have mud. And I can clean it up easily with a rake and a scooper. I've kept chickens for years now, and never had a problem.

Hey, even air isn't safe to breath anymore......A vegan will tell you meat is bad, milk is bad, eggs are bad......Sand comes from the earth......Every body has something to say about something, I guess.....Nothing is safe. LOL

 

[RonP]

Do a search on "deep litter"

Lots of information and benefits.